Lao, Laos, Laotian

Got into Luang Prabang yesterday night and the difference between Laos and Vietnam is black and white. Totally different from Hanoi and the hustle and bustle of it all. It's so much more relaxed and not very many push touts.

Flying into Luang Prabang, I was really scared. We were flying in a Russian made ATR propeller plane. Not even an Airbus or Boeing plane. The Japanese family in front of me at the ticket gate gasp once they saw it. My thoughts at that moment were "It's okay, this plane takes hundreds of people to and from Hanoi everyday. It'll be fine". That's what I told myself anyways. The stewardesses were extremely nice and the service impeccable.

I met a Canadian named Mike and hung out with him for a bit. Basically followed him to the same guesthouse. I didn't have any reservations so I hoped for the best. I got a room and it's fairly nice. Not too shabby. I think I still prefer the dorm atmosphere.

Today, I met a group of older people at the National Museum. (Or was that the big temple on the hill?) They were extremely nice and extended an invitation out to the waterfalls with them, which I gladly took. The Kuang Si Waterfall was extremely dramatic. The waterfall was tall and the water pressure was really hard. My glasses kept misting.

I think I am going to be spending a lot of money here since everything is so speech. I already bought two linen lounge pants, a shirt, and soft slippers for all about $9 US dollars. The night market is really great for souvenir shopping. I just have to remember light and small things. Can't buy anything too heavy. (Just forgot that I bought a $5 dollar shirt from the bear rescue center. Go Bears!)